Portland church installs nation’s first bicycle shrine

As of tonight, St. Stephen’s [Episcopal Church] will become the nation’s first church with a permanent indoor shrine honoring the Madonna del Ghisallo, who is the patron saint of cyclists. An entire section of the 80-year-old wood-and-stone sanctuary will be set aside for bike commuters to contemplate their travels and remember those who have died while cycling.

According to the latest U.S. Census data, a whopping 6.4 percent of Portland residents commuted to work in 2008, making the city No. 1 in the country for bicycle commuting. In Seattle, that figure is 3 percent.

The shrine and an accompanying mural will be dedicated and blessed today at 5:30 p.m. See a photo of the shrine here.